This is not to say that Giglio’s decision to step aside will, in and of itself, persuade young Evangelicals to shy away from Obama and the Democratic Party. But it sure isn’t helpful. And one imagines this incident is indicative of something larger.

Much has been written lately about internal divisions within the GOP, but it is important to realize that the liberal coalition is often tenuously held together. You can never get 100 percent of the vote. At some point, there comes a point of diminishing returns. As you attempt to grow a coalition, you never know when adding one extra card might cause the house to collapse.

Still, this seems like a huge missed opportunity to steal what has been an incredibly loyal Republican coalition. Not since Jimmy Carter’s presidency have Democrats had such an opportunity to reach out to young Christians. But the radical elements within their coalition — angry over what a pastor said many years ago — seem dedicated to preventing such a shift.